GWM Steed vs JAC T8
Value retention, real cost and monthly money, compared on the same 2026 South African data.
Too close to call on resale: both keep about 66% of their value over three years. Decide on the deal, not the badge.
Both curves, one chart
Head to head
| Steed | T8 | |
|---|---|---|
| New price (from) | R 307 950 | R 349 900 |
| ±Monthly instalment | R 5 382/m | R 6 116/m |
| Retained after 1 year | 81% | 81% |
| Retained after 3 years | 65% | 66% |
| Value after 3 years | R 200 711 | R 231 246 |
| Lost to depreciation (3y) | R 107 239 | R 118 654 |
| Value after 5 years | R 158 841 | R 184 370 |
| Our tier | Chinese (established) | Chinese (established) |
GWM Steed →
GWM's bakkie stalwart has been on sale in SA in various forms since 2007, spanning Steed 3, 5, 5E and 6 versions. Today only the Steed 5 workhorse remains, one of the cheapest one-ton bakkies you can buy new. Small businesses buy it on price, though resale lags the established Japanese options.
Known for: long-running budget workhorse bakkie
JAC T8 →
JAC markets the T8 as South Africa's lowest-priced double cab, from R349,900 in 2026. It arrived in 2019 with a 1.9 TDI and later gained a 2.0 CTi engine and a facelift alongside the T9. Buyers get plenty of kit for the money, but trade-in values lag the established bakkie brands.
Known for: lowest priced double cab in sa
Common questions
Which holds value better, the GWM Steed or the JAC T8?
They are close to inseparable: 65% vs 66% retained after three years. Buy on price, spec and the deal you can get, not on resale.
Which is cheaper to own over three years?
Depreciation is the biggest ownership cost. The GWM Steed loses about R 107 239 over three years and the JAC T8 loses about R 118 654. Fuel, insurance and servicing can narrow or widen that, but the depreciation gap is the number to start from.
What do they cost per month?
On typical finance (10% deposit, 72 months, 11.75%), the GWM Steed runs about R 5 382 per month and the JAC T8 about R 6 116, before fees and insurance.
Keep going
Modelled estimates on a retail basis; spec levels and real transaction prices vary.